Ya’ Messed with the Wrong Fella’, Part III
Tragedy at the Plum Depot, 1903: This installment in the Footprints of Fayette is the third in a series dealing with criminal activity in Fayette County. As in all the cases that were previously mentioned, the actions of a few can oftentimes lead to some tragic dilemma for others. In this story, which seems to come right out of some Hollywood western movie, love, jealousy, liquor, and a hot temper all mix together for a sad ending. The main character in this episode is a man named Frank Lowd, who resided in the Plum community. Born about 1864, the son of James and Molly Lowd, the family would be listed as farmers in the 1870 U.S. Census. His father died in 1881, and his mother’s death followed in 1895. Just how much these events had an effect on young Frank is not to be known. However, his life would start to change soon after. Articles in the La Grange Journal give the reader some pertinent information on his character: he became a member of the Plum Baseball Club, was involved in selling real estate, and was active in the Plum community. A dark spot occurred in March 1899 when Frank shot and wounded a man at Plum. He used the reasoning of “self-defense” during his court hearing, but this was just the start of his troubles.
An article in the La Grange Journal, dated June 18, 1903, tells the story of the tragedy at the Plum Depot. The newspaper stated that “Sunday afternoon, shortly after the affray, news reached this city that Frank Lowd, well known here, had been shot at the Katy (MKT Railroad) depot at Plum by W. E. McWilliams, station agent. Sheriff (August) Loessin, who chanced to be a passenger on the evening Katy, stepped out and took charge of Mr. McWilliams.”
The following are the particulars as they appeared in the newspaper. “Frank Lowd, who had been drinking, had started to ride to La Grange on horseback, but looking over his shoulder, noticed his wife going toward the depot. He then turned back and entered the depot. Mrs. Lowd purchased a ticket for La Grange and then set down to wait for the train… Mr. McWilliams, after selling the ticket, resumed his writing at his table in the corner of the small office. At this moment Lowd entered the waiting room and seeing his wife, said: ‘Aha, I’ve caught you, where’s “Mack”, the damned ----- --- -----?’ Pointing his gun at Mr. McWilliams, he fired, the aim, however, being too low, causing the bullet to enter the casing of the ticket window. As Lowd cocked his gun to shoot again McWilliams brought his .38 Smith & Wesson into play and fired three shots, the first grazed Lowd’s shoulder, the second passed under his arm, and the third entered his left side, passing through the heart and both lungs. Lowd then turned, after receiving the death wound, and began to shoot at his wife, while McWilliams, believing Lowd was trying to get another shot, fired twice more. Mrs. Lowd ran out of the waiting room followed by her husband and three shots from his pistol. At the end of the depot platform he fell dead.”
Further information given stated that Mr. McWilliams was brought to La Grange the next day, with a bond being set by the authorities. It was added that “Mr. McWilliams is well known in this place as a peaceful, law-abiding citizen… in charge of the Katy’s business at Plum and decidedly popular with all classes. Previous to Sunday he had been much abused by the dead man, but in the interest of harmony had borne it without resentment.”
The following description was given concerning Frank Lowd. He was about 38 years of age, and was married to Mrs. Fannie Kendall in December 1902, making only about 6 months of marital bliss. He was described as the following: “When under the influence of liquor he was a very dangerous man, and as such came to the untimely death Sunday afternoon.” Frank Lowd was buried in the Plum Grove Cemetery in a plot near to his mother and father.
Thus marks the tragic end of Frank Lowd. Mrs. Lowd remarried in 1905, and McWilliams moved away in 1906, but the memory of the incident surely continued to impact their lives as well as those of the other witnesses to the affray. Liquor, a hot temper, and jealousy, so often a mix for tragedy, plays out over and over in the annals of time. And, when it does play out, there is always the grim chance that the perpetrator of the crime could end up in another instance of “ya’ messed with the wrong fella’,” and come to a tragic ending himself.
Sources: La Grange Journal U. S. Census Records
Footprints Of Fayette
Fayette County is one of the most historic counties in Texas. In this weekly feature from the County Historical Commission, a rotating group of writers looks back at local history.